- Nearly 50% of respondents to a construction industry survey called for improved culture
- Less than 10% called for more talent, contrary to political rhetoric and media coverage
- Commercial frameworks potentially a root cause of negative industry culture
Jobs, growth, and foisting apprenticeships onto the unemployed is that familiar rhetoric we’ve heard day after day.
But are more jobs in construction really what Australia needs?
In short, maybe, but curiously that is not what the construction industry is calling for.
The New Construction Industry Forum conducted a survey of the industry, reporting that only 7% of respondents expressed the need for an expanded workforce.
What did the overwhelming majority of 49% pine for?
Better culture.
Shivendra Kumar, of Shivendra & Co., commented that there was something bubbling away behind the scenes:
“There is a tension behind the 49 per cent figure for improving culture,” said Mr Kumar.
He went on to say industry dynamics weren’t very conducive to a positive culture, and that “… biggest source of that tension is a systemic dissatisfaction with the pressures people work under and the dynamics of the industry as a whole”.
CEO of the Australian Constructors Association, Jon Davies, also weighed in on the alarming figures, saying in a statement “… it is widely understood that adversarial commercial frameworks negatively impact on culture and yet a positive industry culture is a key factor in attracting people into the industry.”
Following the call for a change in culture, improving risk allocation came second at 29%, followed by improving productivity at 15%.
